Flight School
Security

by Daniel J. Benny
Reprinted with Permission of FAA Aviation News

The recent incident involving the theft of a Cessna
172 in Tampa, Florida, and its deliberate crash into an building,
along with concerns over aviation security since the September 11
terrorist attacks, demonstrate the need for flight schools, general
aviation airports, and aircraft owners to do all they can to ensure
the security of their aircraft. This increased security is important
for many reasons. It can aid in preventing the theft and use of
aircraft as terrorist weapons which is a primary public concern at
this time. Security measures can also reduce the threat from
traditional criminal activity and motives such as the theft of
aircraft for illegal drug trafficking, joy rides, and theft of
avionics.

Being a litigious society, the failure to provide
adequate security of aircraft could lead to successful lawsuits
against flight schools, FBOs, airports, and aircraft owners. Security
precautions will also be assisting in reducing or maintaining lower
insurance rates for both liability and hull coverage of the aircraft.

Over the last year, there have been periods in which
flight schools were unable to operate because of restrictions in
airspace related to the recent terrorist attacks. In order to prevent
increased government restrictions and regulations on flight schools
and general aviation, it would be more palatable for the general
aviation community to establish and adhere to their own voluntary
security standards. This gesture would go a long way in preventing
mandated government restrictions and security procedures for flight
schools and general aviation.

The level of security that can be provided by a
flight school depends on several factors. As is the case of Reigle
Aviation, located in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, were I hangar my Cessna
150, they own Reigle Airport (58N) and the FBO and operate a flight
school. In this situation, they have complete control over the entire
airport facility and flight school-owned aircraft and are unlimited in
the level of security measures they can implement. In situations where
the flight school is operating as a tenant at a general aviation
airport, they will be limited in the security measures they can
implement.

While no measures can guarantee the security of
aircraft, a flight school can establish security procedures to reduce
the risk of theft or misuse of aircraft. Security begins with the
hiring of staff and flight instructors. A thorough background
investigation should be conducted on all applicants to verify their
identity, work history, criminal history, emotional stability, and
verification of appropriate credentials for flight instructors. This
can aid in preventing individuals with long-term terrorist or criminal
goals from being able to insert themselves into a flight school
operation in which they themselves could have access to aircraft or be
in a position to allow other potential unauthorized individuals to
gain access to aircraft.

The next step is to establish written policies and
procedures covering security of the flight school and to ensure that
all staff members and instructors are trained in, understand, and
follow the established procedures. The mere fact that written
procedures have been established is of little value if they are not
followed. These procedures should cover the screening of potential
flight students, physical security of school aircraft, and control of
access to the aircraft.

The screening of flight students is critical in the
prevention of the misuse of aircraft and terrorist incidents. The
flight school staff should interview all potential students and verify
their identity. Students who are not of age to obtain an FAA medical
certificate should be required to obtain one from their own physician
indicating that they are physically and mentally cleared to
participate in flight training activity. Flight schools might consider
initiating background checks of students, including a criminal
check-if authorized in their state-and reference checks. Staff should
be trained to look for possible indicators of terrorist intent, such
as students paying for training in large sums of cash or showing an
interest or requesting training in only certain areas of flight to the
exclusion of other areas that are critical to the full certification
process. Other indicators are students who suddenly leave the program
without explanation or act in any manner that appears suspicious or
inconsistent with obtaining full flight certification. Potential
students should also be observed and screened for any obvious mental
or emotional conditions. If any of the above indicators appear during
the course of flight training, the student should be reevaluated for
suitability to continue.

Physical security and the control of access to
flight school aircraft are important aspects of the overall security
program. All keys to aircraft should be accounted for and maintained
in a locked key cabinet when not in use. It is also recommended that
the doors to the aircraft and the ignition be keyed separately.
Aircraft when not in use, especially when secured for the night,
should be maintained in a locked hangar, with intrusion detection
systems if possible. Other security measures could include prop cable
locks, throttle locks, or wheel boots in addition to locking doors and
securing the window of the aircraft. The use of signage indicating
that access is restricted and that tampering with aircraft is a
violation of the law, along with the use of adequate security
lighting, should also be considered as part of the security program.

Student access to aircraft must be controlled.
Flight schools might consider issuing all students a flight school
photo identification card upon registering with the school or at a
minimum, be required to show a driver's license or other form of photo
identification. Students should check in with a staff member upon
arrival at the school and never be provided with a key to obtain
access to an aircraft without the knowledge of their flight
instructor. As mentioned earlier, the door lock and ignition should be
keyed separately. Students should sign for and only be given the door
key to the aircraft if they are going to be doing a preflight of the
aircraft on their own. The flight instructor should then hand carry
the ignition key to the aircraft before beginning dual flight
instruction. Students permitted to conduct solo flights should sign
for both door and ignition keys.

While there are no flight school security measures
to prevent a solo student from misusing an aircraft when they are
airborne, by following the recommended screening procedures and
monitoring the student during the dual instruction period, the risk of
a student misusing an aircraft for terrorism or other unauthorized
purpose will be greatly reduced. Should an unfortunate incident occur
in spite of taking security measures, it would certainly provide
insulation to the flight school with regard to liability and failure
to provide adequate security of the aircraft.

A final consideration for flight schools who rent
aircraft to certificate holders: any individual wishing to rent an
aircraft should be screened, including verification of identity by
comparing the FAA certificate with a photo driver's license. The
inspection of a current medical certificate and a review of the
pilot's logbook should also be part of the screening process.
Indications of any suspicious activity or motive for the rental of the
aircraft should be looked for, such as paying in large sums of cash,
asking questions about specific buildings or facilities in the area
which could be potential terrorist targets, or any unusual luggage or
packages to be taken aboard the aircraft.

It is vital that flight schools and general aviation
take the initiative to establish increased security at their
facilities in order to ensure the safety of the United States and the
continued support of the general aviation by the public.

Daniel J. Benny, M.A., CPP, is a licensed Private
Investigator and Security Consultant in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He
is a private pilot and owner of a Cessna 150, volunteers as an FAA
Safety Counselor, and is a MAG and safety Officer with the Civil Air
Patrol. He may be contacted by telephone at (717) 540-9236 or by email
at <DJBennyPI@aol.com>.

The recommendations contained in this article are
consistent with recently issued FAA recommendations. Flight schools
are in no way required to use any of them.